SENATOR Pia Cayetano gave assurances that the Department of Education’s efforts to prevent the spreading of Covid19 continues, especially now that the full implementation of face-to-face classes is in full-swing.

Cayetano, sponsor of the DepEd’s budget, said that the agency encourages all schools to coordinate with local governments’ epidemiological surveillance units.

She also confirmed that schools are adapting the national policy on optional use of face mask inside their premises.

“But I asked what the practice is, what they observed, and most teachers and students still wear masks, which is actually consistent with my own observation. Even my son, when I ask him, go around, a lot of children in non-school environments I’ve seen are still very carefully masking, unless outdoor lang talaga,” Cayetano said.

“The decision of DepEd to make masking optional for schools was also based on the IATF discussions and recommendations that included DOH recommendations. So they really also took those into consideration in making that final decision,” she added.

The lawmaker also said that any kind of support that will be needed by the schools will be provided in coordination with the local government units.